Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday to inaugurate the two-day Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, the flagship global investment summit hosted by the state government.
Soon after his arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in the capital city, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome. This is PM Modi’s second visit to Odisha this month.
Thereafter, Modi proceeded to Janata Maidan to inaugurate the two-day conclave amid tight security. He is expected to spend approximately 90 minutes at the event and address a gathering of industrialists and investors before departing for Dehradun.
The conclave is being be held at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar from January 28 to 29. The Utkarsh Odisha conclave aims to position Odisha as the anchor of Purvodaya Vision, a leading investment destination and industrial hub in India.
PM Modi will also inaugurate the Make in Odisha Exhibition, highlighting the state’s achievements in developing a vibrant industrial ecosystem. It will serve as a platform for industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to converge and discuss the opportunities Odisha offers as a preferred investment destination.
The conclave will focus on three themes – Start-Up Odisha, Skilled in Odisha, and Women Entrepreneurship. Additionally, there will be be CEO Roundtables, Women Leadership Roundtables, and Editors’ Roundtables. A special session on countries-of-focus will be the spotlight of the flagship investment summit, official sources said.
Industries and Skill Development Minister Sampad Chandra Swain termed the conclave as an investment-cum-transformative journey for the state with an eye on inclusive and sustainable growth. “Odisha is ready to lead India’s industrial revolution, and we are eager to welcome industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to explore Odisha’s immense potential and be part of this journey that transforms dreams into reality,” he told the media.
After targeted roadshows, sectoral roundtables, and direct engagement with heads of companies, the state government is looking forward to a large number of investments across employment-intensive sectors like textiles and apparel, IT/ITeS, shipbuilding and repair chemicals and petrochemicals, as well as new-age sectors like green fuels, green energy equipment manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, and data centres to establish Odisha among India’s top five economies, he said.
The conclave is a key step in achieving the vision of Samrudh Odisha 2036 and contributing to the national aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047 and India’s industrial growth story, he added.
The government is hopeful of attracting investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore from this conclave to be attended by over 7,500 industry delegates registered, including more than 100 international delegates and diplomats from 20 countries. Singapore, Australia and Malaysia, will lead discussions and collaborations, while delegations from countries such as Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, UK, the US and Nepal will also take key part.
In view of the mega event, the Commissionerate of Police declared the entire stretch from airport to the event venue, Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, as ‘No flying zone’. Besides, 60 platoons of police, along with over 400 officers, will be on duty to ensure the safety and smooth execution of the PM engagements.
“Mediapersons have been advised against flying drones in and around Janata Maidan. The decision has been taken from the security point of view,” the police stated.
The mediapersons have also been asked not to ‘use or cover’ the stretch during the road journey by the Prime Minister from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Janata Maidan via Raj Bhawan.
They have also been instructed not to cover the video covering views or live covering views by Doordarshan at Janata Maidan and other places that the PM might visit.
Notably, over 7,500 industry delegates registered, including more than 100 international delegates and diplomats from 20 countries, are expected to attend the the two-day conclave. Singapore, Australia and Malaysia, will lead discussions and collaborations, while delegations from countries such as Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Venezuela, UK, the US and Nepal will also take key part.
Prominent business leaders, including Lakshmi Niwas Mittal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal, Sajjan Jindal, Karan Adani, and others, will also participate along with Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram, and Ashwini Vaishnaw.
